Our mission is to provide education and therapeutic services to children and families in a safe and nurturing environment where children learn and grow to reach their educational potential and families receive encouragement and services to support their children's development

Agency Information

Infant Rates:

Please call for rates

Infant Openings:

No

Toddler Rates:

Please call for rates

Toddler Openings:

No

Preschool Rates:

Please call for rates

Preschool Openings:

No

School Age Rates:

Please call for rates

School Age Openings:

Yes

NAEYC Accredidation:

Yes

Teacher to Child Ratio:

Family Child Care:4 – 6 children in each home

Preschool: 2 teachers to a classroom (classrooms have 15 – 18 children per classroom) plus volunteers

School Age: Approximately 11 children in a group (Licensing requirements – 13 children to one educator)

Childcare Agency of the Month Questions

Introduction:

Early Childhood Central's Child Care Agency of the Month for June is Rainbow Child Development Center. Rainbow Child Development Center was selected by RootCause as one of the recommended High Performing School Readiness Programs in Massachusetts. We spoke with Barbara Guthrie, Director, to learn more about this exceptional child care center which is located on 10 Edward Street, Worcester.

What do you want the children in your care to gain while in your program?:

We want them to grow physically, emotionally, socially and academically and eventually become successful community citizens.

What sets your Agency apart from the other area Agencies?:

Accredited programs, Licensed sites, staff continuity to create a stable environment for the children, early intervention, behavioral therapy (TFK), speech and language development therapy on-site, nutrition programs, (All children in full day programs received freshly prepared meals on site.) Transportation is provided for those families who cannot get their children to their programs; Collaborations with the Worcester Public Schools , many area colleges, and community agencies; family involvement programs. We focus on the child but involve the parent. Our providers (FCC) are part of the staff not subcontractors, so they received all the benefits. A committed board of directors.

Do you have the resources to accept special needs children?:

We are handicapped accessible. Many of our children have IEP plans. Staff receive many trainings in behavior management, etc.

What is your Agency’s educational philosophy?:

Rainbow’s philosophy is to value the family as the Center provides services to meet the individual child. By building trust with the family, we feel we can better meet the needs of the child. Our mission statement reads: “While working collaboratively within the community, Rainbow’s mission is to provide education and therapeutic services to children and families in a safe and nurturing environment where children learn and grow to reach their individual potential and families receive encouragement and services to support their children’s development.”

Have you had an “aha” moment with a child and/or a surprising result from the use of a classroom activity?:

“One morning at clean up time, Mario was at the art table drawing his “happy” face. He had completed the round head, the two eyes, ears and nose. As I urged him to hurry up, I asked him where the mouth was. In his rush to finish, he held up his thick red crayon and gasped: “It’s still in here, Miss Peggy.”

“It was Martin’s first day at Rainbow. He walked into the classroom with a swagger, surveyed the room, walked around and then started. He made derogatory comments to the other children. He began to bully the children, taking things away from them, and shoving them. He pushed things off the tables and began to use improper language. His teacher took a deep breath thinking she was going to have a huge challenge ahead of her. She took Martin aside and proceeded to tell him about the rules in her classroom. “Martin, we don’t use those words in our school. We treat our friends nicely and we take care of our toys.” Martin stared at her for a very long moment. She was expecting a dramatic reaction. After we was done pondering the situation he said “Okay, I think I can do that!” and, he did just that. What a delightful surprise!”

Is there anything else about your Agency that you would like to be mentioned?:

Rainbow Child Development Center was selected by RootCause as one of the recommended High Performing School Readiness Programs in Massachusetts. RootCause’s Social Impact Report on school readiness in Massachusetts provides donors with rigorous, research-based recommendations to make the most effective decisions in investing for high impact. Their research began with over 400 school readiness programs and through an extensive process only 21 final organizations were chosen. Rainbow is one of them and we are very proud of this great recognition.